If last season’s encounters between these two sides are anything to go by then Boro’s game at Wolves has all the makings of a closely-fought competitive Championship affair.

Of course, a lot has changed since then, particularly for the hosts.

Bakary Sako, the striker who smashed 16 goals for Kenny Jackett’s side, moved on to Crystal Palace where he’s battling for a place on the bench with Patrick Bamford while Nouha Dicko faces a long spell on the sidelines with a serious knee injury.

That departure and that injury made Jackett’s job of building on an impressive season last time out extremely difficult.

And the only consistent element of his side’s campaign so far has been their inconsistency.

They’ve battered Fulham 3-0 on the road, they’ve slumped to a miserable 2-0 defeat at home to Brentford.

While it’s too early to bill games as must-win, both Jackett and Karanka will be all too aware of the importance of Saturday’s clash.

Wolves, on the back of two defeats on the bounce, are moping around in mid-table, while Boro’s alarming recent trio of results has seen them drop to sixth in the table.

Hardly a disaster but Boro need to stop the rot fast.

These sides have already met once this year, although it’s hard to read too much into a Capital One Cup tie in which both managers made wholesale changes.

The strength in depth of both squads was laid bare that night at the Riverside as Boro ran out comfortable 3-0 winners.

It’s unlikely to be that comfortable this weekend but we take a look at the key battles Boro must win if they’re to get back to winning ways at Molineux.

Daniel Ayala v Benik Afobe

Fans frustrated at the manager’s reluctance to play a settled side. Ring any bells?

Aitor Karanka isn’t alone when it comes to changing his starting XI to suit week to week. If the size of the squad allows tinkering then most managers would do it, such is the hectic nature of the schedule in the Championship.

But the sight of Benik Afobe playing in the No.10 role is one change that doesn’t go down well with Wolves fans.

They want to see him leading the line. You can imagine the reaction, then, when the highly-rated striker started on the right wing against Brenford in midweek.

“Afobe is Wolves’ most talented player. And to get the best out of him, Jackett must return him to his natural position,” wrote Tim Spiers of the Express and Star this week.

You’d expect Afobe to be back up-top for the visit of Boro, meaning it will be down to Daniel Ayala to keep him quiet.

Benik Afobe

While Boro have struggled to score in recent weeks, their defence still looks relatively solid - even if they did switch off to concede that late sucker punch in the final minutes at Cardiff.

Fernando Amorebieta appears to be first choice alongside Ayala in the heart of the defence at the minute.

For whoever plays in the centre, keeping Afobe quiet will be the priority.

The 22-year-old was among the favourites to top the league’s goalscoring charts at the start of the season. Those who backed him will be relatively pleased with the start he’s made with the 6ft frontman having already hit the net on seven occasions.

Bizarrely, Jackett has moved Afobe about to accommodate much-travelled striker Adam Le Fondre.

Le Fondre believes he’s forming a dangerous partnership with Afobe.

All eyes will be on whether Boro can hit the net and bring their goal drought to an end but they can’t shirk any of their responsibility at the other end against a dangerous striker.

Adam Clayton v Kevin McDonald

Back in the summer key midfielder Kevin McDonald was absent for Wolves in a pre-season friendly at Burton due to the fact he was “unsettled”.

Contract talks had stalled and the 26-year-old’s future was uncertain.

There was relief all-round when the Scottish midfielder finally put pen to paper on a new three-year deal at the end of August and attention then turned back to football.

The former Sheffield United and Burnley man was the victim of Jackett’s tinkering earlier in the year when he was dropped from the side - a surprise given the fact he was an ever-present last year - but returned with two Man of the Match displays.

Adam Clayton against Leeds

He will have to be at his very best to win the battle of midfield metronomes against in-form Adam Clayton on Saturday.

While Boro have stuttered in recent weeks, Clayton’s own performances have gained in momentum.

The tackling machine may not bust a gut to belt from box to box but he helps Boro tick, keeping possession in the middle of the park and getting the ball to the three players behind the striker, tasked with making things happen in the final third.

McDonald’s passing accuracy is an impressive 82% this year while he has two assists and three goals to his name. Clayton will be sitting deep to prevent the Scot from joining the attack and having any say in Boro’s box.

David Nugent v Danny Batth

Twenty-five year old defender Batth struggled against Brentford in midweek but there’s every chance he’ll line up against Boro.

That’s mainly because Kenny Jackett is running short when it comes to defenders.

Wolves, who have conceded six goals in two games, only have four senior defenders available for the game.

Surely, taking that into account, Boro’s run of games without a goal won’t stretch to four?

With Cristhian Stuani struggling to be fit for the game at Molineux, Nugent is likely to be in from the off against Wolves.

David Nugent in action at Cardiff

Aitor Karanka’s other option is Kike but considering he only brought the Spaniard on in the 89th minute after Boro had falled behind at Cardiff, he’s unlikely to get the nod this weekend.

Nugent’s work-rate can’t be questioned, his endeavour and non-stop running must drive central defenders mad. If Batth is looking for a quiet afternoon after two outings he’d rather forget, then he’ll be disappointed to see Nugent’s name on the team-sheet.

And while Boro’s experienced striker has impressed in recent weeks, the need for a goal is growing. Boro’s need for a goal is growing.

Over to the attacking players to give the bewildered Wolves defenders another 90 minutes to forget.

Read what Aitor Karanka had to say in his pre-match press conference HERE.